In recognition that people of color are disproportionately experiencing health disparities, food insecurity, economic inequities, and death in the wake of the coronavirus, we have established the GNY Links COVID-19 Task Force to rapidly deploy resources to communities most impacted by the pandemic.
The New York Urban League’s recent “State of Black New York” report documents how COVID-19 has disproportionately hit Black Americans in death rates, lack of access to technology, job loss and business closures. Long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put many people from racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is both a public-health crisis and an economic emergency that poses an elevated threat to the long-term well-being of Black Americans.
Our Chapter, despite limitations due to mandated closures and social distancing restrictions, mobilized to develop a service project under the National Trends and Services Facet to form the COVID-19 Task Force (“The Task Force”). Our target audience are the individuals who are at highest risk for serious illness associated with COVID-19 – including seniors, people with chronic illness, and people of color – and are, in many cases, the same individuals who are being most adversely affected by the economic recession that began in the spring of 2020.
The Task Force is composed of Chapter members who are leaders in the fields of education, health, policy, food access, and women’s issues and are highly skilled with rapid response efforts and service delivery. The collective group has formed with the mission of supporting the most vulnerable members of our community through initiatives to address food insecurity, economic disparities and lack of education and resources related to COVID-19. The target issues of the Task Force include: health and wellness, civic engagement, social justice and the economy.
Please stay connected for details about upcoming GNY Links COVID-19 Task Force programs and events.
The Task Force works collaboratively with strategic partners, community residents, civic organizations, elected officials and policymakers to coordinate on-going service activities, webinars, forums and roundtables. The ultimate vision of The Task Force is to create a community that is free from both racial and economic disparities and provides equitable access to resources and services to those in need.
